Events leading up to the Battle

When news of the attack on Doriath by the Dwarves of Nogrod reached Beren in Tol Galen, he along with the Green Elves of Ossiriand waylaid the Dwarves near Sarn Athrad and Beren himself slew their king and recovered the Nauglamír which the Dwarves had stolen. And he was amazed by what he saw for in it was set the Silmaril which he himself had cut from Morgoth's crown. The Nauglamír was then worn by Lúthien.

Then Dior Thingol's heir bade farewell to Beren and Lúthien and came to Menegroth along with his wife Nimloth and his children Eluréd,Elurín and Elwing. The elves of Doriath received them with joy. There Dior took up the title of King of Doriath and for a while the Glory of the kingdom of Doriath increased.

Then on a night in autumn, an elf came to Menegroth. He was the lord of the green Elves of Ossiriand. He gave to Dior a coffer, and in it was the Nauglamir wherein was set the Silmaril. Dior looking upon it knew it for a sign that Beren and Lúthien had died. Then Dior arose and clasped the Nauglamir about his neck.

When news about these events reached the Sons of Fëanor, their oath was waked again from sleep. For when Lúthien wore the Necklace of the Dwarves no Elf would dare to assail her. But now it seemed to the Sons of Feanor that they could recover the Silmaril. So they sent messages to Dior stating their claim on the Silmaril. But Dior returned no answer, and Celegorm stirred up his brothers to prepare an assault on Doriath.

The Battle

The Sons of Fëanor along with their followers came at unawares in the middle of winter and fought with Dior in the Thousand Caves. And so befell the second slaying of Elf by Elf. There fell Celegorm by Dior's hand, and there fell Curufin, and dark Caranthir. But Dior was also slain along with his wife Nimloth. And the cruel servants of Celegorm seized his young sons Eluréd and Elurín and left them to starve in the forest. Of this Maedhros repented, and sought for them long in the forest, but his search was unavailing, and the fate of Dior's sons is not known.

Thus Doriath was destroyed and never rose again. but the Sons of Fëanor gained not what they sought. For a remanant of the people fled before them, and with them was Elwing Dior's daughter, and they escaped, and bearing with them the Silmaril came to the Mouths of the river Sirion by the sea.